Russia’s President Vladimir Putin meets with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at the Bocharov Ruchei residence in Sochi, on Feb. 8.

Standing with its western allies, Japan has criticized Russia over its decision to put troops in Ukraine, but at the same time has taken a softer line than others amid recently improved ties with Moscow.

Japan, whose diplomacy under Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has focused on ameliorating ties with President Vladimir Putin’s administration, did join in a statement from the Group of Seven industrialized nations that it was suspending preparations for the scheduled G-8 Summit in Sochi in June. The G-7 statement said that this would stay in place “until the environment comes back where the G-8 is able to have meaningful discussion.”

But a Foreign Ministry statement issued on Sunday stopped short of condemning Russia’s actions. It expressed “grave anxiety and concern” over Russia’s decision to use military force in Ukraine, adding that such a move will “heighten the tension in the region and would harm the peace and the stability of the international community.”

The statement also “strongly urges all the parties concerned” to “respect the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine.”

Defense Minister Itsunori Onodera also told reporters on Sunday, “What’s important is to stabilize Ukraine, which also links to Japan’s security.”

Since coming into office in December 2012, Mr. Abe has put considerable emphasis on tightening relations with Russia as a way to make headway on a seven-decade-long impasse over the sovereignty of islands north of Japan. Mr. Abe’s aides highlight the close relationship that he has with Mr. Putin as a significant development for Tokyo and Moscow.

With territorial issues casting a shadow over Japan’s relations with China and South Korea, an open dialogue with Russia over the so-called Northern Territories bodes well for Mr. Abe’s diplomatic score card.

The Japanese premier made a point of attending the opening ceremonies of the Sochi Winter Olympics last month while the U.S., Canada and many European leaders boycotted the ceremony for Russia’s clamping down on gay civil rights.

About Japan Real Time

Japan Real Time is a newsy, concise guide to what works, what doesn’t and why in the one-time poster child for Asian development, as it struggles to keep pace with faster-growing neighbors while competing with Europe for Michelin-rated restaurants. Drawing on the expertise of The Wall Street Journal and Dow Jones Newswires, the site provides an inside track on business, politics and lifestyle in Japan as it comes to terms with being overtaken by China as the world’s second-biggest economy. You can contact the editors at japanrealtime@wsj.com